Agricultural implements



g- 1962 H. A. RALSTON ETAL 3,049,856

AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 18, 1959 INVENTORY;RA LSTON WENZEL ATTORNEY Aug. 21, 1962 H. A. RALSTON ETAL AGRICULTURALIMPLEMENTS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 18, 1959 INVENTORS HAROLD A.RALsToN PII/JILIP 0. WENZEL .B'

ATTORNEY anism indicated in FIG.

United States Patent 3,049,856 AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS Harold A.Ralston, Rockford, Ill., and Philip D. Wenzel, Stockton, Calif.,assignors to J. I. Case Company, a corporation of Wisconsin Filed Nov.18, 1959, Ser. No. 853,961 15 Claims. (Cl. 56377) The present inventionrelates to side delivery rakes, and particularly to the type known asacute angle rakes; and an object of the invention is to generallyimprove the construction and operation of implements of this t e.

Such a rake generally comprises an arched frame which is propelled alongthe ground and beneath the arched portion of which is suspended a rakingreel which is carried along -by the frame and which acts upon cropmaterial over which the rake passes, and a further object is to improvethe means for suspending and controlling the raking reel and itsrelations to the arched frame.

A further object is to provide power-actuated mechanism for raising thereel off the ground for transportation and other mechanism fordetermining an adjusted lowered position, the latter being also operablein the absence of such power-actuated mechanism to raise the reel into atransport position.

Further objects are to provide for raising or lowering one end of thereel to level it or to enable it to operate properly if the frame istilted for any reason; to avoid digging of one end of the reel into theground if the other end is raised by encountering an obstruction; toprovide mechanism which serves to position the reel against displacementby the backward reaction of the crop being raked, while perrm'tting thereel to yield backwardly and upwardly upon encountering an obstruction,which mechanism also operates to adjust the angle of the rake teeth inrelation to the ground.

A further object is to provide, in such a mechanism, an arrangementwhereby the reel will always be raised to a substantially level orhorizontal transport position, whether or not it is level or horizontalin its down or working position.

Further objects and advantages will become apparent from the followingspecification and accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. l is a side elevation of a rake embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the same taken from aboveand to the left, looking toward the rear.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged elevation of an adjusting mechanism shown in FIG.2.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of the raking reel and associatedparts, taken substantially along the longitudinal vertical median planeof the device shown in FIG. 1.

'FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the rake from the left rear, showing adrive mechanism.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary plan view of certain mechanism indicated in FIG.4.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary side elevation of certain mech Similar referencecharacters have been applied to the same parts wherever they appearthroughout the specification and drawings in which an illustrativeembodiment of the invention is shown; but it is to be understood thatthe invention is not to be considered as limited to What is shown anddescribed, or in fact in any manner,

except as defined in the claims.

Referring to 'FIG. 1, the implement comprises a longitudinally directedarched V-shaped main frame sup- 3,049,856 Patented Aug. 21, 1962 portedat the rear on ground-engaging wheels W and W carried on an axle A.Frame F comprises, in the present instance, a channel member 6 and achannel member 8 extending respectively from adjacent wheel W andadjacent wheel W upwardly, forwardly and then downwardly in generallyconverging relation and being connected together at their front ends byan upwardly open channel section 10, which in operation rests upon atractor drawbar 12 from which the front end of the rake is supported andpropelled. A hitch pin 14 of any suitable type connects channel 10 withdrawbar 12. When the rake is not in use, a jack generally designated as16 supports member 16 in position for hitching to a tractor. Since theseelements form no part of the invention, they will not be furtherdescribed.

A raking reel generally designated as R is suspended beneath frame F andincludes a frame designated as a whole by numeral 18, and in which isjournaled a rotating disc 20, journaled on a bearing 22 and on which, inturn, are journaled a series of tooth bars as 24. Bars 24 carry rakingteeth 26, and a second disc 28 FIG. 5 similar to disc 26, carries theopposite ends of tooth bars 24- and is rotated by a universal jointshaft generally designated as 30 extending from wheel W to a gearhousing 31 of well-known type in which is enclosed a gear 32 fixed on ashaft 33 driven by joint shaft 30, and driving a gear 34, fixed on ashaft 35 on which is fixed above-mentioned plate 28. Thus plate 28 isrotated by reason of rotation of wheel W. This mechanism need not befurther described, since it forms no part of the invention.

Reel R, as a whole, is of generally well-known construction and sincethe details thereof are not part of the invention, it need not befurther described except as necessary to point out the relations betweenit and the rest of the structure.

Reel R is suspended from frame F by means of a link 36 in the presentinstance in the form of a rod or rigid element and having a pivotalconnection 38 to a frame element 40 constituting part of reel frame 18,and by a similar link 42 having a pivotal connection 44 toabovementioned frame element 40, spaced from above-mentioned pivotalconnection 38 along the length of frame element 40. A stabilizer bar 46is pivoted at 48, FIG. 2, to frame element or channel 8 and at 50 toframe element 40. It will be apparent that, with the construction so fardescribed, reel R will be supported or suspended beneath frame F andwill be stabilized against reciprocation or swinging in the direction ofits length-that is transversely of the direction of travel.

For supporting links 36 and 42 and thereby reel R, a rock shaft 52 isjournaled in suitable bearings 54 and 56 mounted respectively onchannels 6 and 8 and has means which will be described presently forrocking it and ho1ding it in adjusted positions. An arm 58 rigid withrock shaft 52 projects in the present instance, forwardly from a pointadjacent one end of the rock shaft and has a pivotal connection 60 withabove-mentioned link 36. At the other end rock shaft 52 has anadjustable or shiftable arm structure, generally designated as 62. Arm62 has a pivotal connection 64 through which it is connected withabove-mentioned link 42. Rocking of rock shaft 52 will therefore causeraising and lowering of raking reel R. Rock shaft 52 has a downwardly ortransversely extending arm 66 to which is attached, through a pivotalconnection 68, an extensible adjusting device or telescoping link,generally designated as 70, terminating in an adjusting crank 72engaging, through a thrust bearing 74, a cross member 76 extendingbetween and fixed in relation to above-mentioned channels 6 and 8.Turning of crank 72, as will be further described, causes forward orrearward rocking of arm 66 and therefore of rock shaft 52 withcorresponding raising or lowering of reel R.

In operation, reel R is subject to a strong rearward pressure reaction,and which must be counteracted or overcome to prevent the reel fromswinging backwardly out of desired position. For this purpose controlmechanism generally designated as 78 is provided and which refers thebackward reaction to a cross member 88 fixed between above-mentionedchannel members 6 and 8, generally rearwardly of reel R, as best seen inFIG. 4.

Control mechanism '78 comprises a rearwardly directed strut 82, fixed inthe present instance with above-mentioned frame member 40 and extendingbackwardly therefrom above the path of tooth bars 24 and downwardly to ahinge construction 84. Suitable braces 86 and 88 extend from spacedpoints on a frame member 90 constituting part of reel frame 18,rearwardly of tooth bars 24, and in the present instance, substantiallyparallel to frame member 40, backwardly and inwardly and are connectedwith hinge construction 84. In this manner, strut 82 is very firmlybraced so as to project rearwardly in substantially rigid relation toreel frame 18. Hinge construction 84 includes a transverse pin 92 ofsubstantial length extending through a sleeve 94, FIG. 6, suitably fixedon strut 82, and a link generally designated as 96, has a clevis 98engaged by the ends of pin 92 whereby link 96 is constrained toup-and-down swinging movement (pin 92 being nominally horizontal) butprevented from swinging from side to side by reason of the rathersubstantial construction of hinge portion 84. This is advantageous inthe operation of the device, as will appear.

Link 96 terminates at its other end in. a tongue portion 100 in which isjournaled a ball 102 fixed in the present instance on a bolt or the like104, engaged in ears 106 and 108 fixed on above-mentioned cross member80. In this manner, oscillation of reel R in a horizontal plane iseffectively prevented, since in such plane, link 96 is rigid with strut82 and the complete system is anchored at a fixed point, namely, ball102 on cross member 80. In other words, the control mechanism 78 islaterally rigid. As so far described, control mechanism 78 would foldupwardly in response to any backward pressure on teeth 24, and thisaction is resisted by the following construction.

Link 96 has an upwardly projecting arm or bracket 110, FIG. 4,preferably upwardly bifurcated, and having journaled thereon a trunnionblock 112, through which is slidable an adjusting shaft or crank 114.Crank 114, in the present instance, is threaded into the sleeve portionof a clevis 116, pivoted on a pin 118, engaged in an car 120 fixed onabove-mentioned strut 82 in a position spaced generally above hinge pin92. Crank 114 therefore, must slide through block 112 in the event ofany swinging of link 96 and strut 82 relatively to each other, since anysuch movement would change the center distance between trunnion block112 and hinge pin 92. A spring 122 is arranged about crank 114 betweentrunnion block 112 and an adjustable collar 124 fixed on crank 114,while a similar spring 126 is arranged between crank 114 and anadjustable collar 128, also fixed on crank 114. By this means, crank 114is resisted in sliding through trunnion block 112, whereby swinging ofstrut 82 and link 96 relatively to each other is yieldably resisted.Spring 122 is of such a degree of stifiness as to resist hingingmovement of strut 82 and link 96 upwardly under the normal backwardreaction of the crop on the teeth 24, but in the event that the teethencounter an obstruction, so that an excessive backward thrust isdeveloped, spring 122 may compress while mechanism 78 may hinge to theregion of the dot-and-dash position in FIG. 4, allowing reel R to riseand pass over the b struction. The resiliency of spring 122 and theweight of the parts will promptly restore them to the full lineposition, as soon as the obstruction is passed.

In the event that reel R swings backwardly and upwardly as shown, crank114 will slide through trunnion block 114 in the direction to compressspring 122, and as will be apparent, the pressure of spring 122 may beadjusted by shifting collar 124 along the crank so that there will besufficient resistance to prevent such swinging under the normal backwardpressure exerted by the crop being processed, while allowing suchswinging in the event of encountering an obstruction. As stated, spring122 (in addition to the weight of reel R) will return the reel toworking position after the obstruction is passed, the normal workingposition being determined by the adjustment of nut or collar 128 whichdetermines the degree of compression of spring 126. The movement istherefore arrested by a resilient element rather than by a positivelimit stop and there is no serious shock load applied to the parts atthis point in the operation.

A spacer 129 is s-lidable on crank 114 between collar 128 and trunnionblock 112 and acts as a stop, defining a positive minimum distancebetween trunnion block 112 and collar 128, and also serving to protectcrank 114 from contact with spring 126, which might tend to damage thethreads and make diflicult the adjustment of collar 128.

The compression or force exerted by both springs 122 and 126 is readilyadjusted by shifting of collars 124 and 128 as described, trunnion block112 normally taking up a position between collars 124 and 128 determinedby the adjustment of the collars and the stiffness of the springs.

This position will be a substantially fixed position, owing to thestifiness of the springs aforesaid, and the spacing between trunnionblock 112 and pin 118 may be changed at any time by rotating crank 114.As the crank screws into clevis 116, the distance will be shortened, andthe angle between strut 82 and link 96 will be reduced. Such shiftingwill cause a counterclockwise rotation of reel R as a whole, causing adownward and forward inclination of the same including teeth 24 as illustrated in the dotted lines. This is often desirable in order to changethe action of the teeth to suit the condition of the crop beingharvested. Opposite rotation of crank 114 will cause the opposite resultor downward and rearward inclination of teeth 24. This reel controlmechanism 78 accordingly serves not only to prevent oscillation of thereel in a horizontal plane, undesirable backward swinging of the reel,and to provide intentional backward swinging to clear obstructions, butalso to adjust the angle of the rake teeth in relation to the ground.

Returning to the lifting mechanism, rock shaft 52 has a plate 130 fixedon the end adjacent above-mentioned arm 66, and which is folded back onitself to form a slotted receiver for a plate 132 pivoted on a pin, boltor the like 134 so that plate 132 may swing freely clockwise (assumingrock shaft 52 to be held stationary) about bolt 134, but when swungcounterclockwise, will encounter the bight in plate 130 and be preventedfrom swinging further except by also rotating plate 130, and with itrock shaft 52. A reciprocating motor 134, in the present instance ahydraulic cylinder, has a piston rod 136 connected through a clevis 138and pin 140 with plate 132 at a point spaced from bolt 134. Motor 134 isanchored through a pin 1-42 traversing an car 144 on the motor and anear 146 fixed on a cross member 148 fixed between channel members 6 and8. As will be apparent, extension of motor 134 will causecounterclockwise rocking of rock shaft 52 in FIG. 1 with consequentraising of reel R while retraction of motor 134 will cause oppositemovement and lowering of the reel.

With reel R resting on the ground, the movement will reach a point whererock shaft 52 will stop moving, whereupon plate 132 will swing aboutbolt 134 away from the bight or stop portion in plate 130, so that theload on pins 149 and 144 is relieved, and they and motor 134 may bereadily removed for use on some other machine.

Returning to adjusting device 70, as particularly seen in FIG. 7, aclevis 150 is engaged with above-mentioned pin or pivotal connection 68,and has a bushing 152 through which extends a bolt 154 also extendingthrough the ends of strap portions 156 and 158 extending lengthwise ofthe device. Straps 156 and 158 are welded or otherwise fixed to a collar160 slidable on a tubular housing or guide portion 162, within whichabove-mentioned crank 72 is rotatable. Crank 72 has a threaded portion164 engaged in a nut portion 166 fixed on or forming part of guideportion 162 and having guide wings or the like 168 engaging straps 156and 158 in a manner to prevent turning of nut portion 166. The weight ofreel R and its attached parts tends to continuously urge arm 66 in aclockwise direction as seen in FIG. 7, soas to maintain the parts intension under normal working conditions. Thus collar 160 is impelledtoward the left and maintained in contact with nut 166. It will now beapparent that turning of crank 72 will cause right or left movement ofnut 166 relatively to crank 72, thus producing similar movement incollar 160, straps 156 and 168, and consequent rocking of rock shaft 52.Thus the height of rake reel R can be adjusted above the ground.

When motor 134 is actuated to lift the reel into the transport position,arm 66 will swing a substantial amount in a counterclockwise direction,for example, into the dotted position of FIG. 7, and will causerightward translation of straps 156 and 158 together with collar 160.Under these conditions, the straps slide on the outside of nut 166 andtubular extension 162 acts as a guide to maintain the alignment of theparts and to prevent damage to the threads 164. This is the normal andintended operation of the parts, motor 134 acting to raise and lower thereel, while adjusting device 70 determines the lowered or Workingposition of the reel, which latter may be readily adjusted by means ofcrank 72.

Turning again to arm structure 62, FIGS. 2 and 3, the device providesfor up-and-down adjustment of one end of reel R independently of theother. Rock shaft 52 has fixed thereon a downwardly and forwardlyinclined plate 170 which has pivoted thereto on a bolt or pivotalconnection 172, a plate 174, which is conveniently made in the shape ofa triangle, and which carries at its apex, above-mentioned pivotalconnection 64. Plate 174- is preferably bifurcated upwardly of pivotalconnection 64 and provides another pivotal connection 176 at which atrunnion block 178 is journaled and through which is threaded a crank180. Crank 181) extends backwardly to a suitable thrust bearing 182connecting the crank with a clevis 184, preferably pivoted toabove-mentioned plat 170 on a pin, bolt, or the like 186. The parts arenormally fixed in relation to each other and thus arm structure 62serves as a simple crank or lifting arm extending from rock shaft 62 topivotal connection 64. However, turning of crank 180 will change thecenter distance between pivotal connection 176 and bolt 186, and therebycause rocking of plate 174 about pivotal connection 172. This, asapparent from the full line position of the parts, will cause raising orlowering of pivotal connection 64 and therefore link 42 and the left endof reel R. This adjustment might be represented as the dimension X,which indicates the change in height of pivotal connection 64 resultingfrom a predetermined amount of turning of crank 186.

When the reel is raised by motor 134, the parts take the dot-and-dashposition in FIG. 3 which brings pivotal connection 64 generally abovepivotal connection 172. Under these conditions, it will be apparent thatsaid predetermined amount of adjustment of crank 180, while producing anequal amount of rotation of plate 174, will cause very littleup-and-down movement of pivotal connection 64, actually, on the order ofdimension Y. Thus adjustment of crank 180 in the down position will have.a maximum efiect on link 42, while such adjustment in the up positionwill have a minimum effect thereon. As a practical matter, the result ofthis arrangement is that the reel will come to virtually the sameposition when raised, regardless of the position to which it is adjustedwhen lowered. Thus, if one of the wheels W and W must run in a furrow orditch, it is possible to adjust reel R to run level or parallel to theground. However, when that is done, the reel will, nevertheless, come toa virtually level position whenever it is raised by motor 134.

While the rake is intended to be used with a motor such as 134, therange of adjustment possible in previously described mechanism 70 issufficient, if crank 72 is adjusted to the extreme limit of itsmovement, to raise reel R into the same transport position achieved bymotor 134, so that the implement is entirely usable even without thepower lifting expedient. Thus, while mechanism 70 is most convenient forpredetermining a lowered position to which the parts can be returnedrepeatedly, if motor 134 is disabled, or not present, mechanism 70 canbe used without the power lifting arrangement as both a lifting and asan adjusting mechanism.

The operation of the device is thought to be clear from the foregoing,it being noted that the rake reel suspended beneath the usual archedframe is driven so as to rake the crop toward one side of the path ofmovement. The

Taking reel is suspended from two rigid links connected to a rock shaft,so as to be virtually prevented from oscillating in a vertical plane,such oscillations being undesir able because of the resulting violentcontact of the raking teeth with the ground. The reel is readily raisedand lowered by means of the hydraulic motor 134 and returns to a rakingposition determined by the adjusting or screw mechanism 70. In theabsence of motor 134, mechanism 70 can be used for both the adjustingand lifting functions.

One of the ends of reel R may be adjusted for leveling purposes, buteven when lowered vw'll come to approximately the same position fortransport as when level.

Cylinder 134 may be readily removed and replaced by simply collapsingit, by actuation of the usual fluid supply and controls, whereupon plate132 may be swung about pin 134 to line up the holes for pins and 142.

The backward reaction of the crop against teeth 126 is taken by controlmechanism 78 which tends to exert a forward and downward forcecounterbalancing the reaction. An advantage is that this downward force,unlike any mechanism which tends to pull the reel, will tend to hold therake down to its work, rather than to lift it over a large accumulationof crop material.

On the other hand, a violent rearward reaction, such as that caused byhitting an obstruction, will cause an up ward hinging of mechanism 78 sothat the reel will be relieved of destructive stresses and passharmlessly over the obstruction. The mechanism also provides readyadjustment of the raking angle of the teeth by merely turning crank 114,and it prevents oscillation of the reel in a horizontal plane by reasonof the construction of hinge portion 84 which results in lateralrigidity of the structure.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of theUnited States is:

1. In an acute angle rake of the type comprising a longitudinallydisposed main frame, a set of ground engaging wheels on the rear of theframe, means on the front of the frame for supporting and propelling theframe, a raking reel suspended beneath, transversely of and between theends of the frame, and means for rotating the reel; the combination of areel frame, a rock shaft above said reel frame, generally parallelthereto and journaled on said longitudinally disposed main frame, meansfor rocking said rock shaft and securing it in desired position, an armfixed in relation to said rockshaft and extending in a generallyfore-and-aft direction, a rigid link pivoted to said arm, extendingdownwardly and pivoted to said reel frame, a second arm fixed inrelation to said rock shaft, spaced along said rock shaft from the firstarm, a pivotal con- I raking reel suspended beneath, transversely of andbetween the ends of the frame, and means for rotating the reel; thecombination of a reel frame, a rock shaft above said reel frame,generally parallel thereto and journaled on said main frame, means forrocking said rock shaft and securing it in desired position, an armfixed in relation to said rockshaft and extending in a generallyfore-and aft direction, a rigid link pivoted to said arm, extending downwardly and pivoted to said reel frame, a second arm fixed in relation tosaid rock shaft, spaced along said rock shaft from the first arm, apivotal connection on said second arm, a second rigid link connected tosaid pivotal connection, extending downwardly and connected with saidreel frame, and said pivotal connection on said second arm beingshiftable in an up-and-down direction to alter the elevation of one endof the reel in relation to the other.

3. In an acute angle rake of the type comprising a longitudinallydisposed main frame, a set of ground engaging wheels on the rear of theframe, means on the front of the frame for supporting and propelling theframe, a raking reel suspended beneath, transversely of and between theends of the frame, and means for rotating the reel; the combination of areel frame, a rock shaft above said reel frame, generally parallelthereto and journaled on said main frame, means for rocking said rockshaft and securing it in desired position, an arm fixed in relation tosaid rockshaft and extending in a generally fore-and-aft direction, arigid link pivoted to said arm and extending downwardly and pivoted tosaid reel frame, a second arm fixed in relation to said rock shaft,spaced along said rock shaft from the first arm, said second armcomprising a plate fixed on said rock shaft, a pivot on said platespaced generally downwardly from said rock shaft, a second platefulcrumed on said pivot, a pivotal connection on said second plate, asecond rigid link connected to said pivotal connection, extendingdownwardly and connected with said reel frame, and means for adjustingsaid second plate about said pivot for shifting said pivotal connectionin relation to said rock shaft in an up-and-down direction to alter theelevation of one end of the reel in relation to the other.

4. In an acute angle rake of the type comprising a longitudinallydisposed main frame, a set of ground engaging Wheels on the rear of theframe, means on the front of the frame for supporting and propelling theframe, a raking reel suspended beneath, transversely of and between theends of the frame, and means for rotating the reel; the combination of areel frame, a rock shaft above said reel frame, generally parallelthereto and journaled on said main frame, means for rocking said rockshaft and securing it in desired position, an arm fixed in relation tosaid rock shaft and extending in a generally fore-and-aft direction, arigid link pivoted to said arm and extending downwardly and pivoted tosaid reel frame, a second arm fixed in relation to said rock shaft,spaced along said rock shaft from the first arm, said second armcomprising a plate element fixed on said rock shaft, a pivot on saidplate element spaced generally downwardly from said rock shaft, a secondplate element fulcrumed on said pivot, a. pivotal connection on saidsecond plate element, a second rigid link connected to said pivotalconnection, extending downwardly and connected with said reel frame,means for adjusting said second plate element about said pivot forshifting said pivotal connection in relation to said rock shaft in anup-and-down direction to alter the elevation of one end of the reel inrelation to the other, said adjusting means comprising a screwthreadedly connected to one of said elements and extending to the otherelement, said screw being connected to the other element,

a thrust bearing interposed between and connecting said screw to saidother element, and means for rotating the screw.

5. In an acute angle rake of the type comprising a longitudinallydisposed main frame, a set of ground engaging wheels on the rear of theframe, means on the front of the frame for supporting and propelling theframe, a raking reel suspended beneath, transversely of and between theends of the frame, and means for rotating the reel; the combination of areel frame, a rock shaft above said reel frame, generally parallelthereto and journaled on said main frame, means for rocking said rockshaft and securing it in desired position, said means comprising an armfixed on said rock shaft and extending transversely thereof, atelescoping link comprising a pair of longitudinally disposed spacedstraps, pivotally connected to the arm at one end, a collar to whichsaid straps are united at their other ends, a nut slidable between saidstraps lengthwise thereof, a tubular guiding housing fixed on said nutand slidable through said collar, guiding means on said not engagingsaid straps to prevent turning of said nut, a crank having a threadedportion within said tubular housing engaging said nut, said crank alsohaving a thrust bearing portion engaged with said main frame, wherebyrotation of said crank in one direction will exert a pull on said strapsand cause rocking of said rock shaft in one direction, an arm fixed inrelation to said rock shaft and extending in a generally fore-and-aftdirection, a rigid link pivoted to said arm, extending downwardly andpivoted to said reel frame, a second arm fixed in relation to said rockshaft, spaced along said rock shaft from the first arm, a pivotalconnection on said second arm, and a second rigid link connected to saidpivotal connection, extending downwardly and connected with said reelframe.

6. In an acute angle rake of the type comprising a longitudinallydisposed main frame, a set of ground engaging wheels on the rear of theframe, means on the front of the frame for supporting and propelling theframe, a raking reel suspended beneath, transversely of and between theends of the frame, and means for rotating the reel; the combination of areel frame, a rock shaft above said reel frame, generally parallelthereto and journaled on said main frame, means for rocking said rockshaft and securing it in desired position said means comprising atransverse arm fixed on said rock shaft, a telescoping link comprising apair of longitudinally disposed spaced straps, pivotally connected tothe arm at one end, a collar to which said straps are united at theirother ends, a nut slidable between said straps lengthwise thereof, atubular guiding housing fixed on said nut and slidable through saidcollar, guiding means on said nut engaging said straps to preventturning of said nut, a crank having a threaded portion within saidtubular housing engaging said nut, said crank also having a thrustbearing portion engaged with said main frame, whereby rotation of saidcrank in one direction will exert a pull on said straps and causerocking of said rock shaft in one direction, power means for rockingsaid rock shaft in said direction, an arm fixed in relation to said rockshaft and extending in a generally foreand-aft direction, a rigid linkpivoted to said arm, extending downwardly and pivoted to said reelframe, a second arm fixed in relation to said rock shaft, spaced alongsaid rock shaft from the first arm, a pivotal connection on said secondarm, and a second rigid link connected to said pivotal connection,extending downwardly and connected with said reel frame.

7. In a side delivery rake of the type comprising a longitudinallydisposed mobile frame, a set of ground engaging wheels on the rear ofthe frame, means on the front of the frame [for supporting andpropelling the frame, a raking reel suspended beneath, transversely ofand between the ends of the frame, and means for rotating the reel; thecombination with said frame of a reel frame, means on the frameconnected with said reel frame and supporting it beneath the firstmentioned frame, laterally rigid, rearwardly yieldable reel controlstructure generally rearwardly of said reel, connecting said reel andsaid frame and arranged to exert a pushing force on said reel by reasonof forward motion of said frame, said control structure comprising asubstantially rigid rearwardly directed strut element fixed on said reelframe, a link element extending rearwardly and upwardly from said strutand connected to said frame, a hinge connecting said strut element withsaid link element for relative swinging movement in a substantiallyvertical plane, and yieldable means connected with said strut and saidlink elements and constituted to resist upward and downward swingingmovement of said strut and link elements about said hinge.

8. In a side delivery rake of the type comprising a longitudinallydisposed mobile frame, a set of ground engaging wheels on the rear ofthe frame, means on the front of the frame for supporting and propellingthe frame, a raking reel suspended beneath, transversely of and betweenthe ends of the frame, and means for rotating the reel; the combinationwith said frame of a reel frame, means on the frame connected with saidreel frame and supporting it beneath the first mentioned frame,laterally rigid, rearwardly yieldable reel control structure generallyrearwardly of said reel, connecting said reel and said frame andarranged to exert a pushing force on said reel by reason of forwardmotion of said frame, said control structure comprising a substantiallyrigid rearwardly directed strut element fixed on said reel frame, a linkelement extending rearwardly and upwardly from said strut and connectedto said frame, a hinge connecting said strut element with said linkelement for relative swinging movement in a substantially verticalplane, and yieldable means connected with said strut and said linkelements and constituted to resist upward and downward swinging movementof said strut and link elements about hinge, said yieldable means beingadjustable to swing said strut element relatively to said link tocontrol the position of said reel frame.

9. In a side delivery rake of the type comprising a longitudinallydisposed mobile frame, a set of ground engaging wheels on the rear ofthe frame, means on the front of the frame for supporting and propellingthe frame, a raking reel suspended beneath, transversely of and betweenthe ends of the frame, and means for rotating the reel; the combinationwith said frame of a reel frame, means on the frame connected with saidreel frame and supporting it beneath the first mentioned frame,laterally rigid, rearwardly yieldable reel control structure generallyrearwardly of said reel, connecting said reel and said frame andarranged to exert a pushing force on said reel by reason of forwardmotion of said frame, said control structure comprising a substantiallyrigid rearwardly directed strut element fixed on said reel frame, a linkelement extending rearwardly and upwardly from said strut and connectedto said frame, a hinge connect ing said strut element with said linkelement for relative swinging movement in a substantially verticalplane, and yieldable means connected with said strut and said linkelements and constituted to resist upward and downward swinging movementof said strut and link elements about said hinge, said yieldable meanscomprising an upwardly directed arm fixed on one of said elements, atrunnion block fulcrumed on said arm at a point spaced from saidelement, a shaft portion slidable through said trunnion block, a clevispivotally connected with the other element, said shaft portion beingthreaded into said clevis, a compression spring on said shaft betweensaid trunnion block and said clevis, a collar fixed on said shaftbetween said clevis and said spring, engaging said spring andadjusta-ble along said shaft, a compression spring on said shaft on theother side of said trunnion block from the first mentioned spring, acollar fixed on said shaft on the other side of the second mentionedspring from said trunnion block engaging said spring and adjustablealong said shaft, and means for rotating said shaft for adjusting thespacing between said trunnion block and said 10 clevis and consequentlythe angle of said strut element relatively to said link element.

10. In an acute angle rake of the type comprising a longitudinallydisposed main frame, a set of ground engaging wheels on the rear of theframe, means on the front of the frame for supor-ting and propelling theframe, a raking reel suspended beneath, transversely of and between theends of the frame, and means for rotating the reel; the combination of areel frame, a rock shaft above said reel frame, generally parallelthereto and journaled on said main frame, means for rocking said rockshaft and securing it in desired position, an arm fixed in relation tosaid rock shaft and extending in a generally foreand-aft direction, arigid link pivoted to said arm and extending downwardly to and pivotedto said reel frame, a second arm fixed in relation to said rock shaft,spaced along said rock shaft from the first arm, a pivotal connection onsaid second arm, a second rigid link connected to said pivotalconnection, extending downwardly and connected with said reel frame, andlaterally rigid reel control structure generally rearwardly of saidreel, connecting said reel and said main frame and arranged'to exert apushing force on said reel by reason of forward motion of said mainframe.

11. In an acute angle rake of the type comprising a longitudinallydisposed main frame, a set of ground engaging wheels on the rear of theframe, means on the front of the frame for supporting and propelling theframe, a raking reel suspended beneath, transversely of and between theends of the frame, and means for rotating the reel; the combination of areel frame, a rock shaft above said reel frame, generally parallelthereto and journaled on said main frame, means for rocking said rockshaft and securing it in desired position, an arm fixed in relation tosaid rock shaft and extending in a generally fore-and-aft direction, arigid link pivoted to said arm and extending downwardly to and pivotedto said reel frame, a second arm fixed in relation to said rock shaft,spaced along said rock shaft from the first arm, a pivotal connection onsaid second arm, a second rigid link connected to said pivotalconnection, extending downwardly and connected with said reel frame,reel control structure generally rearwardly of said reel, connectingsaid reel frame and said main frame and arranged to exert a pushingforce on said reel by reason of forward motion of said main frame, andsaid control structure being yieldable to provide for backward swingingof said reel in response to excessive rearward pressure reactionthereon.

12. In an acute angle rake of the type comprising a longitudinallydisposed main frame, a set of ground engaging wheels on the rear of theframe, means on the front of the frame for supporting and propelling theframe, a raking reel suspended beneath, transversely of and between theends of the frame, and means for rotating the reel; the combination of areel frame, a rock shaft above said reel frame, generally parallelthereto and journaled on said main frame, means for rocking said rockshaft and securing it in desired position, an arm fixed in relation tosaid rock shaft and extending in a generally fore-and-aft direction, arigid link pivoted to said arm and extending downwardly to and pivotedto said reel frame, a second arm fixed in relation to said rock shaft,spaced along said rock shaft from the first arm, a pivotal connection onsaid second arm, a second rigid link connected to said pivotalconnection, extending downwardly and connected with said reel frame,reel control structure generally rearwardly of said reel, connectingsaid reel and said main frame and arranged to exert a pushing force onsaid reel by reason of forward motion of said main frame, and saidcontrol structure being laterally rigid and yieldable rearwardly toprovide for backward swinging of said reel in response to excessiverearward pressure reaction thereon.

13. In an acute angle rake of the type comprising a longitudinallydisposed main frame, a set of ground engaging wheels on the rear of theframe, means on the front of the frame for supporting and propelling theframe, a raking reel suspended beneath, transversely of and between theends of the frame, and means for rotating the reel; the combination of areel frame, a rock shaft above said reel frame, generally parallelthereto and journaled on said main frame, means for rocking said rockshaft and securing it in desired position, an arm fixed in relation tosaid rock shaft and extending in a generally fore-and-aft direction, arigid link pivoted to said arm and extending downwardly to and pivotedto said reel frame, a second arm fixed in relation to said rock shaft,spaced along said rock shaft from the first arm, a pivotal connection onsaid second arm, a second rigid link connected to said pivotalconnection, extending downwardly and connected with said reel frame,laterally rigid, rearwardly yieldable reel control structure generallyrearwardly of said reel, connecting said reel and said main frame andarranged to exert a pushing force on said reel by reason of forwardmotion of said main frame, said control structure comprising asubstantially rigid rearwardly directed strut fixed on said reel frame,a link extending rearwardly and upwardly from said strut and connectedto said frame, and yieldable means connected with said strut and saidlink and constituted to resist movement of said strut and linkrelatively to each other.

14. In an acute angle rake of the type comprising a longitudinallydisposed main frame, a set of ground engaging wheels on the rear of theframe, means on the front of the frame for supporting and propelling theframe, a raking reel suspended beneath, transversely of and between theends of the frame, and means for rotating the reel; the combination of areel frame, a rock shaft above said reel frame, generally parallelthereto and journaled on said main frame, means for rocking said rockshaft and securing it in desired position, an arm fixed in relation tosaid rock shaft and extending in a generally fore-and-aft direction, arigid link pivoted to said arm and extending downwardly to and pivotedto said reel frame, a second arm fixed in relation to said rock shaft,spaced along said rock shaft from the first arm, a pivotal connection onsaid second arm, a second rigid link connected to said pivotalconnection, extending downwardly and connected with said reel frame,laterally rigid, rearwardly yieldable reel control structure generallyrearwardly of said reel, connecting said reel and said main frame andarranged to exert a pushing force on said reel by reason of forwardmotion of said main frame, said control structure comprising asubstantially rigid rearwardly directed strut fixed on said reel frame,a link extending rearwardly from said strut and connected to said frame,a hinge connecting said strut with said link for relative swingingmovement in a substantially vertical plane, and yieldable meansconnected with said strut and said link and constituted to resist upwardand downward swinging movement of said strut and link about said hinge.

15. In an acute angle rake of the type comprising a longitudinallydisposed main frame, a set of ground engaging wheels on the rear of theframe, means on the front of the frame for supporting and propelling theframe, a raking reel suspended beneath, transversely of and between theends of the frame, and means for rotating the reel; the combination of areel frame, a rock shaft above said reel frame, generally parallelthereto and journaled on said main frame, means for rocking said rockshaft and securing it in desired position, an arm fixed in relation tosaid rock shaft and extending in a generally fore-and-aft direction, arigid link pivoted to said arm and extending downwardly to and pivotedto said reel frame, a second arm fixed in relation to said rock shaft,spaced along said rock shaft from the first arm, a pivotal connection onsaid second arm, a second rigid link connected to said pivotalconnection, extending downwardly and connected with said reel frame,laterally rigid, rearwardly yieldable reel con trol structure generallyrearwardly of said reel, connecting said reel and said main frame andarranged to exert a pushing force on said reel by reason of forwardmotion of said main frame, said control structure comprising asubstantially rigid rearwardly directed strut fixed on said reel frame,a link extending rearwardly and upwardly from said strut and connectedto said frame, a hinge connecting said strut with said link for relativeswinging movement in a substantially vertical plane, and yieldable meansconnected with said strut and said link and constituted to resist upwardand downward swinging movement of said strut and link about said hinge.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,403,401 Rietz July 2, 1946 2,635,410 Hill Apr. 21, 1953 2,635,412Schroeppel Apr. 21, 1953 2,672,005 Hamilton Mar. 16, 1954 2,746,233McClellan et a1 May 22, 1956

